By Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on May 28, 2021
woman sitting outside in the sun
Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight
Table of Contents
VIEW ALL
Environment Plays a Huge Role in Mental Health
Mental Health Is a Continuum
Anyone Is Susceptible to Mental Health Problems
It’s Important to Have a Wide Variety of Coping Skills
Online Therapy Is a Legitimate Way to Get Help
While much of the focus of the pandemic was on physical health, COVID-19 also took a serious toll on our mental health. And it’s no wonder why.
Remote learning, working from home, financial distress, media stories about death tolls, lack of social interaction, and ongoing uncertainty were just a few of the major stressors people faced over the past year, but the truth is everyone's experience has been unique.
Fortunately, the tough times also taught us some important lessons about mental health. Carrying those lessons forward into the “new normal” may help us remember to be proactive about caring for our psychological well-being.
Our Mental Health Won't Just Go Back to Normal When the Pandemic Is Over
Environment Plays a Huge Role in Mental Health
This year served as an excellent reminder that our environment plays a significant role in our mental health.
When our usual activities were taken away—everything from going into the office to having dinner with extended family—most of us noticed a shift in our mental well-being.
The disruption to our routines and lack of activity took a toll on everything from how well we slept to what we ate. No matter how mentally healthy we were prior to the pandemic, this year showed us how important that the people we interact with and the things we surround ourselves with matter.
Nature Can Improve Mental Health During the Pandemic, Study Finds
Mental Health Is a Continuum
The pandemic taught us that you aren’t either “mentally healthy” or “mentally ill.” Mental health is a wide spectrum and where we fall on that spectrum varies from day to day—or sometimes hour to hour.
You might have noticed that your mental health slipped a bit during more stressful times. Even if you didn’t qualify for a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or some other mental illness, your mental health might not have been as good as it could be.
Anything from watching the news to attending online meetings may have greatly impacted how you felt. And you may have become more aware of your mental health more than ever before.
Small Ways to Feel Better When You're Depressed
Anyone Is Susceptible to Mental Health Problems
As more and more people talked openly about their emotional struggles, the stigma that can be attached to mental health problems seemed to fade a bit.
Celebrities, mental health experts, athletes, and everyday people stepped forward to discuss the toll the pandemic took on their psychological well-being. This helped many people realize that they weren’t alone in their distress.
America's Mental Health Is the Lowest it's Been in Two Decades
It’s Important to Have a Wide Variety of Coping Skills
Most people’s “go-to” coping skills were taken away this year. Gyms closed, gatherings with friends were discouraged, and large events were canceled.
Many people found themselves sitting at home without their usual mood boosters. Consequently, people looked for other coping skills, like doing yoga from their living rooms or reading books.
It reminded us that it’s essential to have many different tools to help us manage our emotions and cope with distress. While we hopefully won’t ever have to be quarantined again, there may be times when you lose access to your usual coping skills for one reason or another.
Having a few extra tools in your toolbox can help you manage your distress when you’ve lost access to things you usually depend on to feel your best.
Online Therapy Is a Legitimate Way to Get Help
Many people who were seeing therapists in-person shifted to online therapy. Others began therapy for the first time with an online service provider.
Individuals, organizations, and insurance companies began to see how effective online therapy could be.
While some people may be excited to get back to seeing a therapist in-person once it is safe to do so, others may choose to continue online therapy. Not having to commute to appointments and being able to talk to a therapist under more flexible terms (like messaging at any time) might be benefits some people don’t want to give up.
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CORONAVIRUS NEWS
6 Mental Health Lessons Learned During COVID-19
By Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on May 28, 2021
woman sitting outside in the sun
Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight
Table of Contents
VIEW ALL
Environment Plays a Huge Role in Mental Health
Mental Health Is a Continuum
Anyone Is Susceptible to Mental Health Problems
It’s Important to Have a Wide Variety of Coping Skills
Online Therapy Is a Legitimate Way to Get Help
While much of the focus of the pandemic was on physical health, COVID-19 also took a serious toll on our mental health. And it’s no wonder why.
Remote learning, working from home, financial distress, media stories about death tolls, lack of social interaction, and ongoing uncertainty were just a few of the major stressors people faced over the past year, but the truth is everyone's experience has been unique.
Fortunately, the tough times also taught us some important lessons about mental health. Carrying those lessons forward into the “new normal” may help us remember to be proactive about caring for our psychological well-being.
Our Mental Health Won't Just Go Back to Normal When the Pandemic Is Over
Environment Plays a Huge Role in Mental Health
This year served as an excellent reminder that our environment plays a significant role in our mental health.
When our usual activities were taken away—everything from going into the office to having dinner with extended family—most of us noticed a shift in our mental well-being.
The disruption to our routines and lack of activity took a toll on everything from how well we slept to what we ate. No matter how mentally healthy we were prior to the pandemic, this year showed us how important that the people we interact with and the things we surround ourselves with matter.
Nature Can Improve Mental Health During the Pandemic, Study Finds
Mental Health Is a Continuum
The pandemic taught us that you aren’t either “mentally healthy” or “mentally ill.” Mental health is a wide spectrum and where we fall on that spectrum varies from day to day—or sometimes hour to hour.
You might have noticed that your mental health slipped a bit during more stressful times. Even if you didn’t qualify for a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or some other mental illness, your mental health might not have been as good as it could be.
Anything from watching the news to attending online meetings may have greatly impacted how you felt. And you may have become more aware of your mental health more than ever before.
Small Ways to Feel Better When You're Depressed
Anyone Is Susceptible to Mental Health Problems
As more and more people talked openly about their emotional struggles, the stigma that can be attached to mental health problems seemed to fade a bit.
Celebrities, mental health experts, athletes, and everyday people stepped forward to discuss the toll the pandemic took on their psychological well-being. This helped many people realize that they weren’t alone in their distress.
America's Mental Health Is the Lowest it's Been in Two Decades
It’s Important to Have a Wide Variety of Coping Skills
Most people’s “go-to” coping skills were taken away this year. Gyms closed, gatherings with friends were discouraged, and large events were canceled.
Many people found themselves sitting at home without their usual mood boosters. Consequently, people looked for other coping skills, like doing yoga from their living rooms or reading books.
It reminded us that it’s essential to have many different tools to help us manage our emotions and cope with distress. While we hopefully won’t ever have to be quarantined again, there may be times when you lose access to your usual coping skills for one reason or another.
Having a few extra tools in your toolbox can help you manage your distress when you’ve lost access to things you usually depend on to feel your best.
Online Therapy Is a Legitimate Way to Get Help
Many people who were seeing therapists in-person shifted to online therapy. Others began therapy for the first time with an online service provider.
Individuals, organizations, and insurance companies began to see how effective online therapy could be.
While some people may be excited to get back to seeing a therapist in-person once it is safe to do so, others may choose to continue online therapy. Not having to commute to appointments and being able to talk to a therapist under more flexible terms (like messaging at any time) might be benefits some people don’t want to give up.